Opening doors, changing perceptions, and forging unprecedented partnerships.
Our Story
The Golisano Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. dedicated to making the world a better place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The Foundation is devoted to opening doors to opportunity, changing negative perceptions and stereotypes, and forging unprecedented partnerships to ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have pathways to personal dignity, independence, and the best possible expression of their abilities and talents throughout their lifetimes.
Founded in 1985 by Tom Golisano—entrepreneur, philanthropist, civic leader, and founder of Paychex, Inc. —the Foundation “imagines the possibilities,” advocating for families, fighting for their dignity, and giving people with IDD the opportunity to thrive in their communities. With more than $120 million in gross assets, it awards about $3 to 5 million annually to non-profit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.
We imagine the possibilities, advocating for families, fighting for their dignity and giving people with IDD the opportunity to thrive in their communities.
Tom Golisano
Our Mission
We are committed to promoting inclusion, acceptance, and opportunity though the initiatives we support, so that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are valued as people who can contribute and be a vital part of our community – as good students, good neighbors and good workers.
We want to create a better understanding of the contributions people with IDD can and do make to their communities and encourage the delivery of services in ways that create more opportunities for meaningful participation in all aspects of community life.
Our Values
Latest News
Tom Golisano Makes Remarkable Philanthropic Gifts of $360 Million to 82 Non-Profits Across Upstate New York
Monumental Announcement Doubles Philanthropist’s Lifetime Giving See Photo Album ROCHESTER, N.Y., September 17, 2024 — Tom Golisano, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, today announced an unprecedented and historic series of major awards totaling $360...
Tom Golisano makes $50 million commitment to the University of Rochester to build new Golisano Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Institute
Gift is the largest single gift in University history and the largest single gift made by Golisano At a news conference today at the University of Rochester, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader B. Thomas “Tom” Golisano announced that he has made a historic...
Inclusive Health is Thriving in Chile
Erica Dayton traveled to Chile for a four-day site visit to see firsthand the impact of Special Olympics Healthy Communities work in Latin America. Healthy Communities, now in its 14th year, has been funded with the support of $67 million provided by Tom Golisano...